While there is indeed a christian harry potter fanfiction story circulating the internet, the writers intent was satirical and was not part of a plan to create a published set of harry potter. As far as i can tell, writes author ted olsen, while no major christian leader has come out to condemn j. Granger, a christian classicist, has defended the books in his book, looking for god in harry potter. Garretts book joins a host of other titles searching for the christian roots of harry potter, including looking for god in harry potter, god, the devil, and harry potter. She said, there is a lot of christian imagery in the books. Nov 16, 2005 harry potter and the sorcerers stone, the series first book by j. Harry potter was published at a time when popular culture, anticipating the millennium, was busy reflecting on its religious inheritance and trying to find a way forward. Christianity is divided into multiple denominations, notably roman.
Each book of this series corresponds to a school year in the life of harry potter. Christian media have hailed book as christian harry potter for its. May 15, 2001 in january, this column panned a harrybashing evangelical book called harry potter and the bible, from christian publications. A christian authors perspective on harry potter victoria. Dobson officially denounces harry potter the christian. So far, four books have been written, and there are three more to go. Sep 19, 2017 a christian authors perspective on harry potter i decided to plunge into murky waters. Religious debates over the harry potter series wikipedia. Now the series is 20 years old, and these stories are still going strong. Its followers, known as christians, believe in and worship god. Judaism is the religion, philosophy, and way of life of the jewish people.
The first book of the series has approximately 300 pages, but the fourth book, harry and the goblet of fire, has approximately 650 pages. As the popularity of the harry potter series continues to grow, christian parents are left with some difficult questions. Harry potter inspires a christian alternative the new. Article on anglican vicar g p taylor and his bestselling christian childrens book, shadowmancer. Hogwarts school of prayer and miracles chapter 1, a. The theology of harry potter danielle elizabeth tumminio. Since their release, both the newly released movie and book have been drawing in record numbers. Whats a christian to do with harry potter neal, connie. I definitely could see jesus recommending the harry potter books, or to suggest, as christianity today did, that the books would make great christmas gifts for christian kids. The author has been said to be a literary genius, fantastic author, and a creative fiction writer. Cbn news, a fundamentalist christian news service within pat robertsons broadcasting organization, published an article on the harry potter books. Harry potter is christian john granger is the most vocal proponent of the idea that the harry potter stories are really a christian allegory. In his book, harry potter, narnia, and the lord of the rings. In harry potter and the deathly hallows, harry gouges a small cross, the major symbol of christianity, into the tree under which he buried madeye moodys eye.
Jun 25, 2019 when christians talk about the harry potter books by j. While you may be familiar with the more popular public debate between christians and j. Conservative christian opposition to the harry potter books. Christians differentiate themselves from other religions by believing that god sent his son, jesus of nazareth to earth as the messiah. There was an explosion of witch stories in the culture after these books because writers and publishers thought harry potter succeeded because of its trappingsi. The main story arc concerns harry s struggle against lord voldemort, a dark. Supporters of the series have said that the magic in harry potter bears little resemblance to occultism, being more in the vein of fairy tales such as cinderella and snow white, or to the works of c. Oct 01, 2000 typical of our times, a recent report in christianity today seems to base its approval of harry potter not on the bible, but on popular consensus among christian leaders. Putnams sons, it beat harry potter for six weeks straight on the childrens chapter book bestseller list of the. When the harry potter books and movies came out a few years ago, you might remember the outcry from fundamental christians, who claimed that reading the harry potter books was akin to sinful witchcraft. The pope may have condemned the harry potter books, but j k rowling has now revealed that christianity has been one of her major. They sat on my shelf for many years because i was not sure if it was wise for me to read them. Nov 14, 2016 this is a continuation of my last article of harry potter vs christianity.
Pamela newby quoted parent david williamson from columbia, sc who said that the stories about sorcery are just too dark. Should christians be reading the harry potter books. John granger, a homeschooling father, english teacher, and eastern orthodox christian, has developed a cottage industry of influences in the harry potter books. Rowling opens up about books christian imagery they almost epitomize the whole series, she says of the scripture harry reads in godrics hollow. Spiritual life what would jesus do with harry potter. Regina doman i dont usually try to enter public discussions of this kind, but in the interest of fairness, i feel i must write about the matter of cardinal ratzingers alleged condemnation of the harry potter books, which was being circulated widely via the internet right before the recent release of the. Rowling finally opened up this week about the christian allegory in her latest book, harry potter and the deathly hallows. My little ones have been asking to read the harry potter books. Now, pw is happy to point to a much more thoughtful christian take on the young wizard phenom. Instead of harry potter, colson recommends parents to introduce other fantasy books such as the chronicles of narnia and the lord of the rings, because they have more of a christian framework. Once upon a time, there was a little boy named harry potter who lived under the stairs in a house on privet drive with his aunt and uncle. A christian ministers defense of the beloved novels, is a delightfully playful and enjoyable diagnosis of the.
Harry potter is a series of fantasy novels written by british author j. It is the first novel in the harry potter series and rowlings debut novel, first published in 1997 by bloomsbury. Rowling, the author who created harry potter, admits it is actually happening. Emails came in asking me to comment on the books, so i finally read one. He was a good, obedient boy who did all his chores. What do christian protests about harry potter books teach us. Jul 24, 2004 and in may when shadowmancer was published in the united states by g. Some think of the books as fun and entertaining tales of the archetypal struggle between good and evil. Some equate the books with the fantasy novels written by c. Rowlings harry potter series is vastly different from the christianbased works of c.
Rowling harry potter and the philosophers stone is a fantasy novel written by british author j. In his book looking for god in harry potter, he argues extensively that just about every name, character, and event points in some way to christianity. The socalled satan worshipers centuries ago were heretics that the christian church said had they engaged in human sacrifice, selling their souls to satan, and casting evil spells, etc. Asking what would jesus do with harry potter can be helpful. Harry potter and the search for truth pdf download. Aug 05, 2005 this saying, repeated in the teaser for the fourth harry potter movie, is the strongest and most refreshing condemnation of relativism ive come across in childrens literature today. Texas pastor john hagee called the books a precursor to witchcraft.
Drawn into the bible series book 1 by connie neal 4. No book in recent times has been as maligned by a religious group as. After years of averting questions on whether christian themes were present in her wildly popular harry potter books, author j. Harry potter books and films are full of stereotypical magic. What you need to know about fantasy books and movies, he discusses why the j. When the harry potter series first came out, i was at the end of my high school career in a christian school. They also applaud the virtues of compassion, loyalty, courage, and friendship present in many of the main characters. It succeeded because it was in line with the great british christian stories of old, unlike nearly every story out there today. Rowlings satanic franchise of books starring a young wizard, harry potter who zealous parents accuse is promoting the use of witchcraft and devil worship to children, the less vocal conversation about christian symbolism in harry potter may have gone under your radar.
Dec 23, 2002 this book should have been good and wasnt. The seventh book, harry potter and the deathly hallows, echoes three important christian themes. Growing up in a christian household, i had heard the debate for many years on whether christians should read harry potter books and involve themselves in. They almost epitomize the whole series, she says of the.
With the release of the newest harry potter film this week, and the upcoming final book in the series just days away, the debate about harry potter is heating up again. Since that time, the books have been both highly praised as fantastic fictional literature and heavily criticized for their supposed occult content. Nov 15, 2005 harry potter remains a hot potato, polarizing christians left and right because of three words. A harry potter fan in australia reading the last book in the series. One such christian writer, john granger who was described in time in 2009 as the dean of harry potter scholars has written extensively about the series connection to christian teachings in. Harry potter is a very well known book series, which has also been made into movies. G p taylor and his bestselling christian childrens book, shadowmancer. It is one of the oldest monotheistic religions, teaching the belief in one god, and strongly influenced the development of later abrahamic faiths, including christianity and islam. Rowling is touted as the worlds first author billionaire, due to the success of the books, movies, and theme parks. And then i thought, why not share this with all the other mommies who are facing the same problem. In harry potter and the deathly hallows, hermione explains to ron that even if she killed his body his soul would survive.
As confounding as this may be, it is a fact that when christians ask themselves what would jesus do with harry potter. In the harry potter series, the human soul is seen as something separate from the physical body, much like how it is viewed in christianity. Rowling, its most often to complain about them for example, their use of magic. For a christian defense of the books consult john grangers how harry potter casts his spell, saltrivertyndale 2008. A few christians, though, argue that the harry potter books are not only compatible with christianity, but in fact contain implicit christian messages. Religious debates over the harry potter series of books by j. The pope may have condemned the harry potter books, but j k rowling has now revealed that christianity has been one of her major inspirations. But the phenomenon of conservative christian opposition to harry potter. Some believe that the magical world of harry potter is little more than harmless fun and fantasy. Rowling person the benefit of the doubt, as i hoped my readers would do for me. What happened to the christian objection to harry potter. The christian message of harry potter and the deathly. Dobson officially denounces harry potter the christian post.
I read harry potter and the chamber of secrets and liked it better than the first book. Rowling are based on claims that the novels contain occult or satanic subtexts. Kids love the harry potter books, but should christian parents be concerned. It loses its usefulness when we turn it into a rhetorical question to tell someone else what jesus would have them do.
Connie neals whats a christian to do with harry potter. So because i was older than the target audience and fully enveloped in christian culture, harry potter was off limits. The harry potter books refer to an imaginary, fantasy world of unicorns, flying broomsticks, invisibility cloaks, etc. Jul 15, 2011 it sounds a lot like the storyline of the bible. When the movie harry potter and the chamber of secrets was released beliefnet invited a group of experts to discuss the potter phenomenon. This was in 1999oct, at approximately the time that book 3 in the series was published. Harry potter author reveals books christian allegory, her. In january, this column panned a harrybashing evangelical book called harry potter and the bible, from christian publications. The torah is its foundational text and it encompasses the religion, philosophy, and culture of the jewish people. The diverse students on my course comparing christian thought with harry potter left me hopeful about religious coexistence.
In its early years, harry potter was a litmus test of orthodoxy for some conservative christians, who expressed concern over its portrayal of witchcraft. Author john killinger, himself a clergyman with degrees from vanderbilt and the university of chicago, sets out with a noble goal. This question raises huge amounts of debate among christian experts. So i thought why not make some slight changes so these books are family friendly. The seventh and final book in the wildly successful harry potter series sold 8. However, you have to admit that the drama of harry potter is at least echoing the drama of the gospel. Nov 22, 2010 harrys mentor, albus dumbledore, explains that love is the strongest force in the universe. Although the characters practice casting spells, reading crystal balls, etc. The novels chronicle the lives of a young wizard, harry potter, and his friends hermione granger and ron weasley, all of whom are students at hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. Rowling, into a multimillionaire and has made his mark on an entire generation of children during the decade the books have been. Of course it is not exact and there are obvious breakdowns here i would never say that potter is a type of christ, rather he is a hero.
Such sacrificial love is the goal of the christian life, and was modeled perfectly by the life of christ. Hogwarts school of prayer and miracles chapter 1, a harry. Many christian leaders initially embraced the book. This is the first part of professor dentons article on christian themes in j. The word magic refers to stage illusions by sleightofhand, whereas magick refers to occult practices. In response to the heated controversy surrounding the harry potter phenomenon, christian publications is excited to present the book harry potter and the bible.
This question raises huge amounts of debate among christian. Nov 04, 2010 no book in recent times has been as maligned by a religious group as the harry potter books have. Parallels to christianity and the bible, tells how harry sacrificed his life to save the world just like how jesus did. I was skeptical to the idea of enjoying a childrens book about. It\s the 20th anniversary of the publication of the first harry potter book. A christian lawyer sued a public library for encouraging young readers to check out the series. Permit me to quote george macdonald, who wrote a good bit of literature for children himself. He originally read them so he could tell his kids why they couldnt read them.
A number of protestant, catholic, and orthodox christians have argued against the series, as have some shia and sunni muslims. Oct 20, 2007 the pope may have condemned the harry potter books, but j k rowling has now revealed that christianity has been one of her major inspirations. Tolkien while others believe that the books promote the occult through witchcraft and spells. Harry potter and the search for truth pdf download download.
The christian message of harry potter and the deathly hallows. Rowling acknowledged that the harry potter series had a deep and intentional connection to christianity. As many christians are buried under some form of a cross, this could be an affirmation of moodys and or harry s faith. Witchcraft and wizardry are central themes, and the lead roles are played by wizards, witches, and other magical creatures. These events are extensively outlined in the christian holy book, the bible. Harry potter inspires a christian alternative the new york times.
Christian media have hailed book as christian harry potter for its religious references and its. Cries of satanism, youll recall, attended the release of each new book, from christian parents. In harry potter and the deathly hallows, the last book in the series, rowling includes overt. Breaking her silence on the muchdebated question as. The series has long been a focus extreme religious reaction with some christians arguing the series is a gospel analogy and others that it promotes a dangerous acceptance of the occult. The second installment will be posted in july 2011 to coincide with the release of the second part of the harry potter and the deathly hallows film reaction to harry potter among christians on the conservative end of the theological spectrum. In a newsweek interview she said, i get letters from children addressed to professor dumbledore headmaster at hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry in the books, and its not a joke, begging to be let into. Rowling, has been both embraced and criticized by christian audiences. The proharry potter christians believe that the books do a good job of describing a world where good and evil are not always obvious while giving readers a hero on the good side fighting evil. But as he read he saw many references to christian themes, symbols and virtue. T he reading phenomenon known as harry potter is sweeping the globe, and it truly has an international presence as readers in 200 nations, in over 40 languages, indulge in this series. For years now, christian writers have been delving into harry potter. Since the 1997 release of its first book, the harry potter series along with the film adaptations has gained immense popularity worldwide.
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